Well reamer



Marfih 31, 1936, J. H'. HOWARD WELL REAMER Filed A ril 2, 1.934

2 Sheets-Sheet l I? a??? a M mWM Marck 31, 1936. J H HOWARD 2,035,888

WELL REAMEH Filed April 2, 1.934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Ame/77hr- PatentedMar. 31, 1936 D TATES PATENT OFFICE WELL REAMER Application April 2,1934, Serial No. 718,592

6 Claims.

This invention relates to a well tool and relates more particularly to awell reamer. A general object of this invention is to provide a simple,practical and improved reamer for use in well drilling operations.

Another object of the invention is to provide a reamer for use in therotary method of well drilling, including rotatable reaming cutters andsimplified and improved means for mounting or supporting the cutters.

Another object of the invention is to provide a reamer involving aneffective, dependable and inexpensive means for holding or looking thecutter carrying pins against movement and displacement.

Another object of the invention is to provide a reamer that may beinverted or turned end for end to be adapted for use either immediatelyabove the drilling bit or at a higher point in the drilling string tooperate as a guide.

Another object of the invention is to provide a well reamer in which theenlarged cutter carrying portion of the body has corners provided withbeads of hard material and has hard faced blades for protecting the bodyagainst excessive wear.

Another object of the invention is to provide a well reamer of thecharacter mentioned that is effective in operation and simple andinexpensive of manufacture.

A further object of the invention is to provide a single simple tool forholding the cutter carrying pins of the reamer against rotation tofacilitate the threading of nuts on and off the pins and for driving thepins from their openings in the body.

Other objects and features of the invention will be best and fullyunderstood from the following detailed description of a typical form andapplication of the invention, throughout which description reference ishad to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the reamer provided by the presentinvention with one half in longitudinal cross section showing the reamerin position for use immediately above the well drilling tool. Fig. 2 isa view similar to Fig. 1 illustrating the reamer in a reversed orinverted position for insertion in the well drilling string at a pointabove the drill collar. Fig. 3 is a top view and partial transversecross sectional view taken substantially as indicated by line 3--3 onFig. 1. Figures 4 and 5 are transverse detailed sectional views taken asindicated by lines 44 and 5-5 respectively, on Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is an end55 elevation and side elevation of a tool useful for holding the lockpins against turning and for driving the pins from their openings in thebody.

The well reamer provided by this invention includes, generally, a bodyI0, roller cutters or reaming cutters II and means I2 for removablyrotatably supporting the cutters II on the body.

The body It is an elongated structure or member provided to carry thecutter assemblies. In the simple form of the invention illustrated inthe drawings the body II] is integral and is designed to carry threeroller cutters H, it being understood that the body may be formed tocarry fewer or more cutters if desired. The body I0 has elongatedcylindrical end portions I3 and an intermediate enlarged portion I4 ofsubstantially triangular cross section. The apices of the triangularportion M are truncated, having flat or slightly curved substantiallytangential surfaces I5 and vertically extending edges or corners I 6.Beads I! of hard material are provided on the corners It to protect thebody. The opposite ends I8 of the enlarged triangular portion I4 arepreferably bevelled, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings.Reaming wings I9 may project from the bevelled ends I8 and arepreferably faced with hard cutting material. If desired the reamer asinitially constructed may have blades I9 at both ends of the enlargedportion I4 whereby the tool is adapted for use as a reamer immediatelyabove the well bit and as a reaming guide at a higher point in thedrilling string. However, if desired or found practical spaced blades I9may be initially provided on one end of the portion I4 and readilyattachable blades I9 may be supplied with the reamer for use on theother end of the portion I4 in the event that the tool is to beinverted. In the two positions of the reamer shown in the drawings theblades I9 are provided on the lower end only of the portion I4.

A threaded pin 20 is provided on one end of the body l0 while a screwthreaded socket 2! is provided in the other end of the reamer body. Whenused directly above the drilling bit the tool is positioned asillustrated in Fig. 1 so that the pin 28 may be threaded into the usualsocket in the lower end of the drill collar and the socket 2i mayreceive the pin on the shank of the drilling tool. When the reamer isinterposed in the drilling string it is preferable or necessary toarrange it in the position illustrated in Fig. 2 Where the socket 2| isat its upper end for the reception of the pin of a tool joint section orthe like, and the pin 20 is at its lower end to thread into a socket ofa joint section. A central longitudinal passage 22 extends through thebody II] from one end to the other to conduct the circulation fluidthrough the tool. A pocket or recess 23 is provided in each apex portionor corner of the body portion I4 to receive a cutter II. The recesses 23are open at the surfaces I5 and at the side surfaces of the portion I4and preferably have curved concaved inner walls, as illustrated in Fig.3 of the drawings. The opposite end walls of the recesses 23 arepreferably fiat and normal to the longitudinal axis of the body.

The cutters II are rotatably supported in the recesses 23 to projectfrom the body I and act on or ream the side walls of the well bore. Theseveral cutters II may be alike in configuration, each having acylindrical major portion and a irustro-conical portion at one end.Suitable cutting parts are provided on the cutters. In the typical caseillustrated the cutting parts or teeth 24 extend longitudinally of thecutters from one end to the other, it being apparent that the teeth maybe spiralled, interrupted or otherwise formed. The ends or corners ofthe teeth 24 at the plain ends of the cutters II may be bevelled 01f.The cutters I I are proportioned to fit the recesses 23 of the body withsuitable clearance and their opposite ends are preferably flat andnormal to their axis. Central longitudinal openings 25 are provided inthe cutters l I and extend throughout their lengths.

The means I2 for rotatably supporting the cutters II is simple and.dependable and is such that the cutters may be readily removed forreplacement or inversion. The cutter supporting means I2 includesspindles or pins 26 extending through the openings 26 and rotatablycarrying the cutters. The pins 26 project from the opposite ends of thecutters II and extend into longitudinal openings 21 in the body II]. Inthe form of the invention disclosed in the drawings the openings 27extend between the bevelled ends I8 of the body portion I4 to intersectthe recesses 23 and are vertical or parallel with the longitudinal axisof the body I8 so that the cutters I I are rotatable about verticalaxes. As the openings 21 are open at the opposite ends I8 of the portionI4 the pins 26 may be inserted in either end of the openings. The cuttersupporting pins 26 terminate in the openings 2! and have their oppositeend portions received in the openings. Transverse openings 28 may beprovided in the pins 26 adjacent their ends for the reception of a bar,or the like, for lifting the pins.

The openings 27 are provided with portions 29 of increased diameteradjacent the opposite end Walls of the recesses 23 to carry replaceablewear taking bushings 38. The bushings 38 may be inserted in the socketsor enlarged portions 39 of the openings 2'! from the body recesses 23.The openings in the bushings 33 may be of the same diameter as theopenings 25 and 21 and the cutter carrying pins 26 may be of uniformdiameter throughout their lengths.

Thrust washers 3I surround the pins 26 between'the ends of the cuttersII and the end walls of the recesses 23. In accordance with theinvention the thrust washers 3| have straight opposite edges 32 forengaging the parallel sides of recesses or slots 33 in the end walls ofthe recesses 23. This engagement of the straight sides 32 of the washerswith the walls of the slots 33 positively prevents rotation of thewashers 3|. The washers 3 I, project inwardly beyond the slots 33 intothe recesses 23 to space the ends of the cutters II from the end wallsof the .recesses 23. The outer ends of the slots 33 are open so that thewashers 3I may be easily slid into place prior to the insertion of thepins 26 in the openings 21. The outer ends of the thrust washers 3I maybe flush with the flat or slightly curved surfaces I of the body.

The cutter mounting or supporting means I2 provides for the dependablelocking of the pins 26 against rotation and displacement. Transverseopenings 34 are provided in the triangular body portion I4 to intersectthe enlarged portions of the openings 27. Openings 35 are provided inthe walls of the bushings 38 and notches 36 are provided in the pins 26to register with the openings 34. The openings 35 and notches 36 mayeach be substantially semi-circular in cross section to constitute evencontinuations of the openings 34. Each opening 34 has a reduced portionproviding an annular shoulder 31. Lock pins 38 extend through theopenings 34 and cooperate with the notches 36 to positively lock thecutter carrying pins 26 against rotation and longitudinal movement.Reduced portions 39 are provided on the pins 38 to extend through thereduced parts of the openings 34 and to provide shoulders for engagingthe shoulders 31. This engagement of the pin shoulders with theshoulders 31 limits the inward movement of the pins in the openings 34.

Nuts 48 are threaded on the reduced end portions 39 of the pins 38 toremovaloly lock the pins in position. In the preferred construction thenuts 48 are positioned in sockets M in the ends of the openings 3-4. Thenuts 48 are preferably castellated, having openings or notches toreceive cotter keys 42 passed through transverse openings in the lockpins 38. The cotter keys 42 prevent displacement of the nuts 40 from thelock pins 38 while the lock pins in cooperating with the notches 36positively prevent rotation and longitudinal movement of the cuttercarrying pins 26. The large ends of the lock pins 38 are cut away tohave flat diametrical or tangential surfaces 45.

The invention provides a simple tool in the form of a combination wrenchand punch for facilitating tightening of the lock pins 38 and tofacilitate the removal of the lock pins from the openings 34. The wrenchincludes a handle 46 of suitable length and configuration. A. transversehead 41 projects in opposite directions from one end portion of thehandle 46. One end of the head 41 has a cut away portion or notchprovid-' ing a flat diametrical or tangential surface 48. This notchedend of the head 41 is adapted to be inserted in the large end of anopening 34 to have its fiat face 48 cooperate with the face 45 of a lockpin 38 to hold the lock pin against turning while a nut 40 is threadedon or off the pin. The other end 49 of the head 4'! is of reduceddiameter and is in the nature of a punch for driving the lock pins 38from their openings 34 after the removal of the nuts fromthe pins.

Means is provided to prevent loss or displacement of the cutter carryingpins 26 from the openings 2'! in the event that the lock pins 38 fail orbecome displaced. Stops 58 are lightly welded in the openings 21 toengage the lower ends of the cutter carrying pins 26. The stops 50 maybe tubular to pass a punch for removing the pins 26 from the openings27. As the stops 50 prevent downward movement and displacement of thepins 26 they are provided in the lower ends of the openings 27regardless of the use or dis! position of the reamer. If the reamer isinitially assembled for use in a given position and. is later invertedthe stops 50 may be removed and replaced in what are the lower endportions of the openings 21 in the inverted reamer.

It is believed. that the utility and practicability of the tool providedby the present invention will be readily apparent from the foregoingdetailed description. During operation of the tool the cutters IIproject from the body I to engage or act on the side walls of the wellbore to ream the bore and to center and stabilize the drilling string.It is usually preferable to position the cutters II so that theirfrustro-conical portions are at their lower ends to have a boreenlarging action. The cutters H are effectively supported for freerotation on the pins 2% and end thrusts from the cutters are taken bythe non-rotatable washers 3 I. As described above, the cutter carryingpins 26 are dependably locked against displacement by the lock pins 38and the stops 5!]. The hard beads I! and the hard faced blades l9prevent the cutter carrying portion of the body from becomingexcessively worn. The lock pins 38 are dependably held againstdisplacement by the keyed nuts 40 but may be easily removed to permitthe removal of the cutter carrying pins 28. It is apparent that the pins26 may be easily removed to permit the replacement or inversion of thecutters H. The cutter carrying or supporting means of the invention isparticularly simple and inexpensive of manufacture. As described above,the tool may be easily and quickly conditioned for inversion and isadapted for use immediately above the drilling tool and at a higherpoint in the drilling string.

Having described only a typical form and application of my invention, Ido not wish to be limited or restricted to the specific forms andapplications herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself anymodifications or variations that may appear to those skilled in the artor fall within the scope of the following claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A well reamer including a body having a cutter carrying portion ofpolygonal cross section, means at the opposite ends of the body forconnecting it in a drilling string, and wear resisting material on thecorners of said portion.

2. A well reamer including a body having a cutter carrying portion ofpolygonal cross section, means at the opposite ends of the body forconnecting it in a drilling string, beads of hard wear resistingmaterial on the corners of said portion, and blades on an end of saidportion.

3. A well reamer including a body having a recess, a cutter in therecess, and means supporting the cutter for rotation including a pinrotatably carrying the cutter and having a portion received in anopening in the body, there being an opening intersecting the saidopening, the pin having an external notch registering with the secondmentioned opening, a removable lock pin extending through said secondmentioned opening and cooperating with the notch to hold the pin againstrotation and upward movement, and a stop removably welded in the firstnamed opening to prevent downward displacement of the said pin from theopening.

4. A reamer including a body having a recess and an opening intersectingthe recess, the opening having enlarged portions at the recess, a cutterin the recess, a pin rotatably supporting the cutter and having its endportions received in the opening, replaceable bushings in said enlargedportions carrying the pin, and removable means for locking the pinagainst rotation and longitudinal movement.

5. A well reamer including a body having a recess, and an openingintersecting the recess, there being straight-sided slots in the endwalls of the recess, a cutter in the recess, a pin rotatably supportingthe cutter and having its end portions extending into the opening,bushings in the opening carrying said end portions of the pin, flatsidedwashers in the slots spacing the ends of the cutter from the end wallsof the recess and held against rotation through cooperation with thewalls of the slots, the body having a second opening intersecting thefirst mentioned opening and the pin having a notch registering with thesecond opening, a lock pin in the second opening cooperating with thenotch to hold the cuttercarrying pin against movement, and means forlocking the lock pin against displacement.

6. A reamer including a body having a recess and an opening intersectingthe recess, the opening having an enlarged portion at the recess, acutter in the recess, a pin rotatably supporting the cutter, areplaceable bushing in said enlarged portion carrying an end of the pin,there being a transverse opening in the body intersecting the firstnamed opening and notches in the bushing and pin registering with thetransverse opening, and a lock pin in the transverse opening cooperatingwith the notches to hold the pin and bushing against movement.

JOHN H. HOWARD.

